If you are in danger, call 911. If you need to exit this website quickly, click on the ESCAPE button. This button will immediately open a browser window for weather.com and replace your current window with google.com.
Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Vital Records

    Learn how to access birth, death, and adoption records in Pennsylvania.

    Need a Birth Certificate for REAL ID?

    With the deadline for REAL ID approaching, many people are using their birth certificate to verify their identity. The standard birth certificate format issued by the Department of Health (DOH) since 2011 satisfies the Proof of Identity requirements to obtain a REAL ID, including parent(s)’ names. All birth certificates issued by DOH are certified copies and include the raised/embossed seal required by PennDOT.

    You may apply for a birth certificate online, through the mail, or in-person at a Vital Records public office. Note that VitalChek (https://mycertificates.health.pa.gov) is PA’s ONLY authorized vendor for online orders. Using any other online birth certificate fulfillment website could delay receipt of your document and/or cost you additional money.

    View the REAL ID and Birth Certificate Frequently Asked Questions.

    Records marking a birth, death or fetal death are known as vital records. Certificates issued from the official records are used for everything from applying for a driver's license to settling an estate after someone dies. Sometimes these certificates can become misplaced, or you need additional copies of these certificates. Our Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries is the official custodian of vital records dating back to 1906 for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  This website outlines our requirements for obtaining certificates for births, deaths and fetal deaths that occurred in Pennsylvania since 1906.